Virtual.Drupa 2021: Xeikon showcasing its technology prowess

The Sirius technology (Xeikon SX30000) offers more capacity and higher efficiency to consolidated volume in the graphic arts market while the Cheetah technology (Xeikon CX300, Xeikon CX500) offers a high digital printing solution based on dry toner for the cosmetic, wine, spirit, food, pharmaceutical and craft beer labels. The Panther technology (Xeikon PX2000, Xeikon PX3000, Xeikon PX30000) offers entry level digital printing solution based on UVIJ for the cosmetic, chemical, industrial durable, performance and premium beer labels.

Among other products, the company is showcasing the Rex technology, which provides printers and converters a low threshold to step into industrial digital printing for both graphic arts and labels; the END2END Walldeco solution build around entry (Xeikon CX50) and high-end (Xeikon CX500) kits, and Xeikon FEU, which offers a digital solution for embellishing labels with 2D, 3D and haptic foiling and varnish. 

On the question, what should the Indian printers do to improve their production methods, Filip Weymans, VP marketing, Flint Group Digital, said, “The first question is if the Indian market is really looking for a shorter time to market. Not all products will require this, but if this is the case, the only answer is digitalising the manufacturing processes. This goes beyond printing. It would require investing in MIS software, more automated processes, reducing production steps (this is where digital can help as you skip the steps of plate making, ink mixing, etc) ... It will still be an aspect that every printer has to dive into to understand if it would bring value for his/her business knowing that cost structures are different than Western Europe.”

With the pandemic driving eCommerce, Weymans explained what needs to be done. He said, in graphic arts, eCommerce delivers a new opportunity to tap into a new market, a new channel to reach a new customer base. “The product range is only hindered by the imagination. So, you also see a lot of people outside of the printing industry stepping into the industry with these new business models,” he said.

However, he added that eCommerce is not having a big impact on the existing L&P volume. “It is creating a lot of new corrugated volume for shipment. This also drives volume in logistic labels. In the longer term, I do see the potential that, due to the success of retail eCommerce, a 'new' retail product portfolio is created,” he said.

Weymans said digitisation of print manufacturing is the next big thing. “But I can imagine that this has less relevance for the Indian market due to their current price structure,” he added.